Motorcycle Safety Foundation

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The Motorcycle Safety Foundation (MSF) is a United States national, not-for-profit organization sponsored by the U.S. manufacturers and distributors of BMW, Ducati, Harley-Davidson, Honda, Kawasaki, KTM , Piaggio/Vespa, Suzuki, Triumph, Victory and Yamaha motorcycles. MSF maintains rider training curricula used in most states for novice and experienced riders.

1 Description
2 Controversy
3 See also
4 External links

[edit] Description

A Basic RiderCourse by TEAM Arizona in Chandler

MSF is a developer of comprehensive, research-based rider education and training curricula designed to develop or advance motorcyclists' riding skills. The MSF fosters a "ride safe" attitude, and promotes lifelong learning for motorcyclists. It also participates in government relations, safety research, public awareness campaigns, and technical assistance to state training and licensing programs.

MSF administers courses directly in New Mexico, California, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia. However, in most states courses are administered by state agencies or universities that use MSF's curricula. Individual training sites may be public, as through technical colleges, or private organizations. In 48 states, these local training sites are certified by MSF. Idaho and Oregon states use state-developed curricula rather than MSF's. All fifty states have rider training programs.

An MSF instructor demonstrates an exercise for students in Wisconsin

MSF is recognized by most state departments of transportation in the U.S. Successful completion of MSF's Basic "RiderCourse" usually replaces a state's riding exam, and may also replace the written exam, to receive a motorcycle operator's endorsement or license. Some insurance companies also offer discounts to those who have passed an MSF course. Military installations require graduation from an MSF course to ride a motorcycle on base.

In addition to the Basic "RiderCourse" the MSF has designed an Experienced "RiderCourse" and various other curricula related to subjects of concern to motorcyclists, such as group riding and issues faced by more experienced riders.

The MSF external link provides contact information for local MSF schools.

MSF's courses are taught by instructors, or "RiderCoaches," certified by MSF and who, in turn, are trained by "RiderCoach" Trainers certified by the MSF directly. Experienced motorcyclists who might be interested in becoming "RiderCoaches" should contact their states' Motorcycle Safety Administrators for information on applying for certification.

[edit] Controversy

This section has been nominated to be checked for its neutrality.
Discussion of this nomination can be found on the talk page. (May 2008)

Recently the MSF pursued legal action against the Team Oregon Rider Safety Program to protect what they claim is an infringement on their use of intellectual property [1]. The lawsuit claims that the Team Oregon program infringed on copyrighted material, despite the fact that much of the material used was originally developed and used by individual states long before the RSS program, predecessor to the existing BRT (Basic Rider Training) course. Many in the motorcycle safety community, to include current instructors, are alleging that the lawsuit is a clear indication that the MSF has abandoned its primary stated purpose of motorcycle rider safety, having moved towards an industry sponsored profit center [2].